Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEvents & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused Award
The “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
The award aims to foster sustainability in the industry. The winner in the student designer category will receive an internship with Kering’s jewelry brands, while the winner in the startups category will be awarded mentorship with Poli.Design at Politecnico di Milano.
Paris—Kering’s sustainability-focused award, in partnership with the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and Poli.Design at Politecnico di Milano, has returned for its second edition.
The “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” debuted last year at JCK Las Vegas as an extension of its “Generation Award” that launched in 2018 for the fashion sector.
The award seeks to promote sustainability and innovation in the jewelry sector, focusing on efforts by young designers and startups.
“In today’s world, the jewelry we produce must reflect society’s concern for environmental and social awareness, enhanced through the innovative use of new technologies and knowledge in a circular economy. The Kering Generation x Jewelry award celebrates this movement,” said Gaetano Cavalieri, president of CIBJO.
The theme of the second edition is the same as the first edition, “Second Chance, First Choice.”
Kering said the goal of the theme is to reduce the environmental impact of the jewelry industry in terms of products, processes, services, and technology through innovative solutions across new innovative materials, artificial intelligence, packaging, and retail-focused technologies.
Related stories will be right here …
The “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” debuted last year at JCK Las Vegas as an extension of its “Generation Award” that launched in 2018 for the fashion sector.
The award seeks to promote sustainability and innovation in the jewelry sector, focusing on efforts by young designers and startups.
“In today’s world, the jewelry we produce must reflect society’s concern for environmental and social awareness, enhanced through the innovative use of new technologies and knowledge in a circular economy. The Kering Generation x Jewelry award celebrates this movement,” said Gaetano Cavalieri, president of CIBJO.
The theme of the second edition is the same as the first edition, “Second Chance, First Choice.”
Kering said the goal of the theme is to reduce the environmental impact of the jewelry industry in terms of products, processes, services, and technology through innovative solutions across new innovative materials, artificial intelligence, packaging, and retail-focused technologies.
Kering and its jewelry brands—Boucheron, Pomellato, Dodo, and Qeelin—will work with 10 universities, selected by Poli.Design at Politecnico di Milano—that offer courses on jewelry and sustainability for the contest.
The students will be mentored by the professors and tasked with transforming discarded materials into valuable pieces, while the startups will use an existing product, technology, or services in the jewelry sector that aligns with the contest’s theme.
“This approach aims to elevate the concept of sustainability, transcending the value of materials,” said Kering.
“By engaging young creatives from leading international academic institutions and emerging entrepreneurial ventures, the initiative positions itself as a space for collaboration and experimentation, dedicated to fostering new ideas and responsible approaches for the future,” added Alba Cappellieri, head of jewelry at Politecnico di Milano and the scientific coordinator of the award.
The four shortlisted finalists of the Kering Generation Award x Jewelry will present their projects to a jury in July during Haute Couture Week in Paris.
Two winners will be chosen, one student and one startup.
The student winner will be offered an internship opportunity with one of Kering’s jewelry brands.
The startup winner will be awarded mentorship from Poli.Design at Politecnico di Milano.
Applications will be accepted through April 15.
For more information and to apply, visit Poli.Design’s website.
“The success of the inaugural Kering Generation Award x Jewelry showed us just how many emerging leaders are eager to drive change and redefine sustainable jewelry,” said Marie-Claire Daveu, chief sustainability and institutional affairs officer at Kering.
“At Kering, we believe that fostering ideas at the intersection of craftsmanship, technology, and environmental responsibility is not just important—it is essential.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
